ZyXEL Communications NBG-416N User Manual page 74

Chapter 6 Wireless LAN
security). If a wireless client is not allowed to use the wireless network, it does not
matter if it has the correct settings.
This type of security does not protect the information that is sent in the wireless
network. Furthermore, there are ways for unauthorized devices to get the MAC
address of an authorized wireless client. Then, they can use that MAC address to
use the wireless network.
6.3.1.3 Encryption
Wireless networks can use encryption to protect the information that is sent in the
wireless network. Encryption is like a secret code. If you do not know the secret
code, you cannot understand the message.
The types of encryption you can choose depend on the type of user
authentication. (See
Table 26 Types of Encryption for Each Type of Authentication
Weakest
Strongest
For example, if users do not log in to the wireless network, you can choose no
encryption, Static WEP, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK.
Usually, you should set up the strongest encryption that every wireless client in
the wireless network supports. Suppose the wireless network has two wireless
clients. Device A only supports WEP, and device B supports WEP and WPA.
Therefore, you should set up Static WEP in the wireless network.
Note: It is recommended that wireless networks use WPA-PSK or stronger
encryption. IEEE 802.1x and WEP encryption are better than none at all, but it
is still possible for unauthorized devices to figure out the original information
pretty quickly.
When you select WPA2-PSK in your NBG-416N, you can also select an option
(WPA Compatible) to support WPA-PSK as well. In this case, if some wireless
clients support WPA-PSK and some support WPA2-PSK, you should set up WPA2-
PSK and select the WPA Compatible option in the NBG-416N.
Many types of encryption use a key to protect the information in the wireless
network. The longer the key, the stronger the encryption. Every wireless client in
the wireless network must have the same key.
74
Section 6.3.1.3 on page 74
NO AUTHENTICATION
No Security
Static WEP
WPA-PSK
WPA2-PSK
for information.)
NBG-416N User's Guide